MEK MULUNG MEETS THE DIGITAL AGE:AN EVALUATION OF E-MEKLUNG
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37231/apj.2025.8.SI1.796Abstract
Mek Mulung is a vibrant dance-drama from Wang Tepus Kedah, Malaysia, blending dance, acting, music, and singing to bring local myths and legends to life, often featuring tales of love, bravery, and fantasy. With traditional Mek Mulung performances facing the threat of extinction due to a lack of protection and the rise of modern entertainment, it is imperative to preserve this unique art form. To address this gap, this study is developing e-Meklung, a digital adaptation created to engage children and spark their interest in Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage. E-Meklung tackles this challenge using Rapid Application Design (RAD) and throwaway prototyping, turning Mek Mulung into an engaging and educational digital experience. Usability testing with 30 children aged 7 to 12 revealed average scores (Means) of 4.47 for ease of use, 4.27 for performance, and 4.32 for satisfaction demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing their understanding of Mek Mulung. These scores show that e-Meklung not only entertains but also helps children better understand and appreciate the rich culture of Mek Mulung. Ongoing advancements in digital storytelling have the potential to amplify its impact, supporting the preservation of Mek Mulung while promoting cultural heritage education. E-Meklung breathes new life into the Mek Mulung dance-drama by blending tradition with technology, transforming it into an engaging educational tool that enriches cultural learning, fosters diversity in schools, and cultivates a deeper appreciation of Malaysia's cultural heritage among the youth.
References
Abdullah, J. (2023). Daripada tang tepus ke UNESCO, tokoh Mek Mulung luah kegembiraan. Utusan Malaysia. Retrieved from https://www.utusan.com.my/nasional/2023/12/daripada-wang-tepus-ke-unesco-tokoh-mek-mulung-luah-kegembiraan/
Ahmad, J., Ng, Y. C., & Goh, S. C. Y. (2024). e-Meklung: A digital prototype of Mek Mulung performance. Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia.
Ahmad, Z. (2015). The traditional performance art of Mek Mulung in Malaysia. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 22(3), 123-134.
Annamalai, S., Omar, A. C., Abdul Salam, S. N. (2022). Rory’s Mathematics adventure’s (ROMAAD) - Mobile game-based learning application: An evaluation of usability. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counselling, 7(8), 575-585.
Bastien, J. M. C. (2010). Usability testing: A review of some methodological and technical aspects of the method. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 79(4), e18–e23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2008.12.004
EvalCommunity (2024). Formative evaluation in educational settings. Retrieved from https://www.evalcommunity.com/career-center/formative-evaluation/
Hani, U., Azzadina, I., Sianipar, C. P. M., Setyagung, E. H., & Ishii, T. (2012). Preserving cultural heritage through creative industry: A lesson from Saung Angklung Udjo. Procedia Economics and Finance, 4, 193–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2212-5671(12)00334-6
Hassan, Z. (2021). The potential of digital storytelling for promoting cultural literacy among children aged 7-12: A study of Mek Mulung folktales. International Journal of Children's Literature and Education, 14(4), 567-585.
Ibrahim, M. (2022). Cultural preservation through digital storytelling: A case study of Mek Mulung folktales. Journal of Educational Technology, 11(1), 89-107.
Ismail, N. A. (2015). The role of traditional storytelling in preserving Mek Mulung culture: A case study of the Mek Mulung community in Sarawak, Malaysia. International Journal of Asian Studies, 14(1), 1-15.
Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., & Freeman, A. (2018). NMC Horizon Report: 2018 Higher Education Edition. Louisville, CO: EDUCAUSE.
Kamil, M. H. F. M., Rasid, R. B., Norizan, A. R., & Aron, N. W. M. (2024). Bridging traditional and technology through evaluating the effectiveness of augmented reality. In 2024 International Visualization, Informatics and Technology Conference (IVIT) (pp. 84–90). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/IVIT62102.2024.10692537
Kasemsarn, K., & Nickpour, F. (2025). Digital storytelling in cultural and heritage tourism: A review of social media integration and youth engagement frameworks. Heritage, 8(6), 200. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8060200
Kementerian Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Pelancongan Malaysia. (2003). Mek Mulung: Teater tradisional dari wang tepus, Kedah Darul Aman. Retrieved from https://pemetaanbudaya.jkkn.gov.my/en/senibudaya/detail/1017.
Krug, S. (2014). Don't make me think, revisited: A common sense approach to web usability. New Riders.
Kuo, Y.-C., Walker, A. E., Belland, B. R., Schroder, K. E. E., & Kuo, Y.-T. (2019). Interaction, internet self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning as predictors of student satisfaction in online education courses. Internet and Higher Education, 42(1), 34-44. doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2019.04.002
Lambert, J. (2013). Digital storytelling: Capturing lives, creating community. Routledge.
Lewis, J. R. (2012). Usability testing. In The Encyclopedia of Human-Computer Interaction. (2nd Ed.). Interaction Design Foundation.
Lujun, F., Junjie, Y., & Li, L. (2021). Enhancing cultural heritage education through interactive digital storytelling: A case study in China. Interactive Learning Environments, 29(2), 244-259. doi:10.1080/10494820.2019.1665152
Mastika. (2021). Mek Mulung - Persembahan yang seusia dengan legenda Mahsuri - UtusanTV. UtusanTV. https://utusantv.com/2021/11/10/mek-mulung-persembahan-yang-seusia-dengan-legenda-mahsuri/
Mayer, R. E. (2009). Multimedia learning (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Mohamad, LA.R. (2016). Mek Mulong: Kedah's unique folk performance. Jurnal Kemanusiaan, 23(1), 61–78.
Mohd Yusoff, M. Y., & Zahari, Z. (2020). Persembahan tradisional Mek Mulung di Malaysia: Perubahan struktur persembahan. Jurnal Melayu Sedunia (JMS), 3(1), 100–121.
Nielsen, J. (1993). Usability engineering. Academic Press.
Nur Izzati, J. (2019). The origin, evolution and future of Mek Mulung a state heritage status and beyond [Review of The origin, evolution and future of Mek Mulung a state heritage status and beyond]. King’s College London, 384, 17–18.
Ohler, J. (2013). Digital storytelling in the classroom: New media pathways to literacy, learning, and creativity (2nd ed.). Corwin.
Reeves, T. C. (1998). The impact of media and technology in schools. The Bertelsmann Foundation.
Robin, B. R. (2008). Digital storytelling: A powerful technology tool for the 21st century classroom. Theory Into Practice, 47(3), 220-228.
Rubin, J., & Chisnell, D. (2008). Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design, and Conduct Effective Tests. Wiley.
Scriven, M. (1967). The methodology of evaluation. In R. W. Tyler, R. M. Gagne, & M. Scriven (Eds.), Perspectives of curriculum evaluation (pp. 39-83). Rand McNally.
Suara Merdeka. W. (2023). UNESCO beri pengiktirafan kepada teater tradisi Mek Mulung [Photograph]. SM Suara Merdeka. Retrieved from https://suaramerdeka.com.my/unesco-beri-pengiktirafan-kepada-teater-tradisi-mek-mulung/
Wan Isa, W. M., Mat Zin, N. A., Rosdi, F., & Mohd Sarim, H. (2018). Digital preservation of intangible cultural heritage. Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 12(3), 1373. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijeecs.v12.i3.pp1373-1379
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Upon acceptance of an article, authors will be asked to transfer copyright. This transfer will ensure the widest possible dissemination of information. A notification will be sent to the corresponding author confirming receipt of the manuscript. If excerpts from other copyrighted works are included, the author(s) must obtain written permission from the copyright owners and credit the source(s) in the article.
